Snow shovel

ABSTRACT

A snow shovel/pusher for pushing snow forward or to one side or the other, the snow shovel having a blade and a shaft wherein the blade is connected to the shaft with a yoke mechanism for pivotally retaining the shovel blade at various side to side angles relative to the shaft, the shovel blade being pivotable relative to the shaft in a horizontal plane on a vertical central blade axis perpendicular to the working surface. The yoke mechanism is angled upward relative to the working surface to retain the shaft at a constant desirable working angle with respect to the working surface during use and during pivotal movement of the shovel blade relative to the shaft. The snow shovel also includes a releasable locking mechanism operable for releasing and relocking the shovel blade at various side to side angles relative to said shaft between an extreme right and an extreme left position.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to snow shovels and snow pushersand in particular to a snow shovel/pusher having a blade and a shaft,wherein the blade is pivotable in a horizontal plane along aside-to-side arch with respect to the shaft and the shaft maintains aconstant angle with respect to the blade.

BACKGROUND

The common snow shovel or pusher has been around for years and generallycomprises a large flat or curved blade for pushing snow lying on ahorizontal working surface such as a sidewalk or driveway. A shaft isrigidly affixed at a 90 degree angle to the back of the blade and isangled upward for gripping by a user standing behind the blade. Onedisadvantage of this type of snow shovel is that since the blade isfixed rigidly at a 90 degree angle to the shaft, it is only useful forpushing or shoveling snow in a forward direction. The problem is thatsnow tends to build up in front of the blade when being pushed forwardin this manner. To push snow to the side, the user has to twist his orher body to the left or right, thereby straining the back and neckmuscles and risking injury.

Another disadvantage of the common snow shovel or pusher occurs whenworking against a wall or fence. To move the snow away from a wall onemust angle the blade sufficiently with respect to the wall so as todirect the snow away from the wall and allow it to slide off the shovel.However, one is impeded in this movement by contact between the shaft ofthe shovel and the wall, which prevents the attainment of a sufficientworking angle for efficient movement of the snow away from the wall.

One solution is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,597,204, which provides asnow pusher having a handle pivotally attached to an angled latch plateat the back of a blade, allowing the angle of the handle relative to thelength of the blade to be adjusted. This allows the blade to bepositioned at an angle with respect to the shaft for pushing snow to theside. However, the problem with this design is that in order to keep theshovel blade flat and parallel to the ground during use, the user has tolower the working angle of the shaft relative to the ground. This putsthe user in an awkward position relative to the blade and could causestrain and injury.

A further disadvantage of the common snow shovel or pusher is that thenormal working surface is usually made of asphalt or concrete and isoften irregular, having cracks and raised areas. Therefore, the bladetends to wear rather quickly and/or become damaged, necessitatingreplacement of the blade or, in most cases, the entire shovel. Othercomponents of the common snow shovel are likewise not replaceable, sothat when a part breaks or wears out it cannot be easily replaced. Inthe past, the only solution has been to replace the entire shovel with anew one.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, in view of the foregoing, there is a need for a snow shovelor snow pusher that will overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.

There is a further need for a snow shovel or pusher having a blade thatis pivotable in a horizontal plane right and left with respect to theshaft on a central axis perpendicular to the working surface.

There is additionally a need for a snow shovel or pusher having a bladethat is pivotable in a horizontal plane right and left with respect tothe shaft while at the same time maintaining the shaft at a constantworking angle relative to the working surface to prevent strain andinjury to the user.

There is also a need for a snow shovel having a pivotable blade and areleasable locking mechanism operable for releasing and relocking theblade at various angles relative to the shaft and wherein releasing thelocking mechanism is accomplished with only a slight movement of theuser's hand or foot and does not require great effort.

There is a further need for a snow shovel having a pivotable blade asdescribed above, wherein the releasable locking mechanism can bereleased remotely using a trigger mechanism within easy reach of theuser.

There is also a need for a snow shovel having a reversible, two-sidedblade with two working edges, so that when one working edge wears orbreaks, the blade can be turned around or reversed to expose or activatethe second working edge.

There is a further need for a snow shovel having replaceable parts sothat when one part breaks or wears out the worn or broken part can beeasily replaced.

According to one aspect then, there is provided a snow shovel forpushing snow on a generally horizontal working surface, the snow shovelcomprising: an elongated shaft for gripping by a user during use; ashovel blade having a front side and a rear side and a horizontal bottomworking edge for engaging the working surface during use, the rear sideof the shovel blade attached to one end of the shaft with a yokemechanism for pivotally retaining the shovel blade at various anglesrelative to the shaft, the shovel blade being pivotable relative to theshaft in a horizontal plane on a vertical central blade axisperpendicular to the working surface; and a releasable locking mechanismoperable for releasing and relocking the shovel blade at the variousangles relative to the shaft between an extreme right and an extremeleft position.

According to another aspect, there is provided a snow shovel for pushingsnow on a generally horizontal working surface, the snow shovelcomprising: an elongated shaft for gripping by a user during use, theshaft having a proximal end and a distal end and a central longitudinalaxis; a yoke having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end ofthe yoke connected to the distal end of the shaft; a shovel blade havinga front side and a rear side and an elongated horizontal bottom workingedge for engagement with the working surface during use, the rear of theshovel blade pivotally connected to the distal end of the yoke forpivotable movement of the shovel blade relative to the shaft in ahorizontal plane on a vertical central blade axis perpendicular to thehorizontal bottom working edge; and a locking mechanism for locking theshovel blade at various angles relative to the shaft during use betweenan extreme right position and an extreme left position, the proximal endof the yoke being angled vertically upward relative to the workingsurface to thereby retain the shaft at a constant working angle withrespect to the working surface during use and during the pivotalmovement of the shovel blade relative to the shaft between the extremeright and the extreme left positions.

In other aspects, the yoke is angled vertically upward relative to theworking surface to thereby retain the shaft at a constant desirableworking angle with respect to the working surface during use and duringpivotal movement of the shovel blade relative to the shaft. The shovelblade may be symmetrically constructed about a central horizontal bladeaxis parallel to the horizontal bottom working edge and the shovel blademay also have a horizontal top working edge oriented opposite thehorizontal bottom working edge, the shovel blade being removablyconnected to the yoke thereby permitting the shovel blade to bereversed, resulting in the engagement of the top horizontal working edgewith the working surface during use.

In further aspects, the locking mechanism may include one or more locktabs for selective engagement with one of a plurality of lock slots onthe rear side of the shovel blade. Engagement of a lock tab with one ofthe plurality of lock slots will lock the shovel blade and prevent thepivotal movement of the shovel blade relative to the shaft. The lock tabmay be spring biased for positive retention of the lock tab in aselected one of the plurality of lock slots during use. The one or morelock tabs may also include a release mechanism for temporarilydisengaging the lock tab from the selected one of the plurality of lockslots to thereby permit the pivotal movement of the shovel bladerelative to the shaft so as to permit repositioning of the shovel bladerelative to the shaft. The locking mechanism may include a lever lockcomprising a first end and a second opposite end and be pivotallyconnected to the yoke at a pivot point located between the first end andthe second end, and a lock tab may be located on the first end of thelever lock and a release arm may be located on the second end, so thatpressing downward on the release arm will result in the disengagement ofthe lock tab from the selected one of the plurality of lock slots.

In other aspects, the locking mechanism may be a lock bar slidablysecured within the yoke, the lock bar having one or more lock tabs. Thelock bar is slidable in the yoke between a locked position where one ormore of the lock tabs are engaged with one or more of the blade lockslots and an unlocked position where one or more of the lock tabs aredisengaged from the blade lock slots, to thereby permit the pivotalmovement of the shovel blade relative to the shaft so as to permitrepositioning of the shovel blade relative to the shaft. The lock barmay include a release bar, connected between the lock bar and the yoke,for moving the lock bar between the locked position and the unlockedposition. Further, a remote mechanism may be included for remotelymoving the release bar and the lock bar between the locked position andthe unlocked position. The remote mechanism may be a cable connectedbetween the release bar and a trigger mechanism which may beconveniently located within easy reach of the user.

In still further aspects, the snow shovel blade may have a support barconnected between the right and left sides of the blade, where thesupport is slidable in a horizontal support bar channel through the yokeor through the yoke and lock bar, as the shovel blade is pivoted leftand right on a horizontal plane. The support bar may include a pluralityof support bar lock slots for engagement with the one or more lock tabsof the locking mechanism.

In further aspects, the snow shovel may include stop means to preventthe pivotal movement of the shovel blade relative to the shaft beyondthe extreme right and the extreme left positions when the releasablelocking mechanism is not engaged. The shaft may be removably connectedto the yoke and the yoke may be removably connected to the shovel bladeto permit selective replacement of the shovel blade, the yoke and theshaft.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The applicant's snow shovel will be further understood from thefollowing description with reference to the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded, perspective view of one embodiment of theapplicant's snow shovel showing the various main components thereof.

FIG. 2 is a perspective rear view of the blade of the snow shovel shownin FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective front view of the blade of the snow shovel shownin FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a side plan view of the blade of the snow shovel shown in FIG.1.

FIG. 5 is a top cross sectional view of the blade of the snow shovelshown in FIG. 1, viewed along the line marked A in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the handle of the snow shovel shown inFIG. 1.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are left and right side perspective views, respectively,of the yoke of the snow shovel shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the torsion spring of the snow shovelshown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 is a side perspective view of the lever lock of the snow shovelshown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 11 is a side plan view of the lever lock of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a side plan view of an assembled version of the applicant'ssnow shovel shown in FIG. 1, with the handle portion removed.

FIGS. 13 a, 13 b, and 13 c are top plan views of the applicant's snowshovel of FIG. 1, showing the various positions of the blade as theblade is pivoted on a horizontal plane right (FIG. 13 a) and left (FIG.13 c) with respect to the shaft. FIG. 13 b shows the blade in thestandard, central position, oriented at a 90 degree angle with respectto the shaft.

FIG. 14 is a rear perspective, partial cut-away view of anotherembodiment of the applicant's snow shovel, showing the pivotalattachment of the yoke to the back of the blade. The blade shown in FIG.14 includes additional reinforcement ribs, and the shaft has beenpartially cut-away.

FIG. 15 is a side perspective, partial cut-away view of a furtherembodiment of the applicant's snow shovel, showing an alternate designfor the pivotal attachment of the handle to the blade. The shaft hasbeen partially cut-away.

FIG. 16 is a rear side perspective, partial cut-away view of anotherembodiment of the applicant's snow shovel, showing a further alternatedesign for the pivotal attachment of the handle to the blade. The shafthas been partially cut-away.

FIG. 17 is a top plan view of the snow shovel shown in FIG. 15.

FIG. 18 is a top plan view of the snow shovel shown in FIG. 15,including the addition of a remote release mechanism.

FIG. 19 is a side cross sectional view of the blade of the snow shovelshown in FIG. 17, viewed along the line marked B/C in FIG. 17. The lockbar is shown in the locked, working position.

FIG. 20 is a side cross sectional view of the blade of the snow shovelshown in FIG. 17, viewed along the line marked B/C in FIG. 17. The lockbar is shown in the unlocked position.

FIG. 21 is a side cross sectional view of the blade of the snow shovelshown in FIG. 18, viewed along the line marked D/E in FIG. 18. The lockbar and release bar are shown in the locked, working position.

FIG. 22 is a side cross sectional view of the blade of the snow shovelshown in FIG. 18, viewed along the line marked D/E in FIG. 18. The lockbar and release bar are shown in the unlocked position.

FIG. 23 is a top plan view of the snow shovel of FIG. 16, from theperspective of a user, showing the blade rotated on a horizontal planeto the right or clockwise with respect to the shaft.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following discussion, reference to a working surface is generallyto a flat driveway or sidewalk, which will be considered as beinggenerally on a horizontal plane. A user standing on the working surfaceis generally oriented in a vertical direction perpendicular to thehorizontal plane of the working surface.

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the applicant's snow shovel or pusher 10,including a blade 12 for pushing or shoveling snow on theabove-mentioned generally horizontal working surface and an elongatedshaft 14 for gripping by a user, the shaft having a proximal end 15 anda distal end 13 and a central longitudinal axis “A”. A handle 16 may befitted onto the proximal end 15 of shaft 14 and secured using a handlefastening means 17.

The distal end 13 of shaft 14 is secured to a proximal end 21 of anangled yoke 22 using a shaft fastening means 19. Yoke 22 is angledvertically upward with respect to the working surface, the angle of yoke22 being calculated to provide a desirable upward working angle withrespect to the working surface for the user gripping shaft 14 to workthe snow shovel. A releasable locking mechanism comprising a lever lock24 and a torsion spring 26 are pivotally secured to yoke 22 with a pinor bolt 25 (as will be discussed in further detail below).

The blade 12 is pivotally secured to a distal end 23 of the yoke 22using a blade fastening means 30. As shown in FIGS. 1-4, 12 and 14,blade 12 has a horizontal bottom working edge 12 a. Advantageously,blade 12 also has an oppositely-oriented horizontal top working edge 12b and may be curved between bottom edge 12 a and top edge 12 b so as tofacilitate the pushing and shoveling of snow. Blade 12 may besymmetrically shaped about a central horizontal blade axis “C” parallelto the top and bottom edges 12 a and 12 b, as shown in FIG. 3. Thissymmetrical shape provides blade 12 with the same working profileregardless of whether edge 12 a is used against the working surface, orthe blade is turned over and edge 12 b is used.

Blade 12 may include multiple vertical reinforcing ribs 32 and at leasttwo horizontal reinforcing ribs 34 (see FIG. 2). Vertical reinforcingribs 32 intersect with horizontal reinforcing ribs 34, to form a centralcavity 36 having an upper yoke attachment plate 38, a lower yokeattachment plate 39, and two side walls 40 and 41. Additionalreinforcing ribs 33, which may be oriented other than horizontally orvertically, as shown in FIG. 14, may be added to the blade to providefurther stability.

Blade 12 is generally made from plastic, but may in the alternative beconstructed of any suitable material, including steel or aluminum or anyother suitable alloy or a polymer composite material. If made fromplastic or a composite material, blade edges 12 a and 12 b may bereinforced with a metal strip to prevent wear. The metal strip may be aV-shaped strip secured to the blade edges.

As shown in FIG. 5, upper yoke attachment plate 38 includes an upperpivot hole 42 for alignment with a yoke pivot hole 56 (see FIGS. 7 and8) for pivotal attachment of yoke 22 to the rear side of blade 12. Yokeattachment plate 38 includes at least three upper blade lock slots 44 a,44 b, and 44 c for alignment with a yoke lock slot 58 (see FIGS. 7 and8) and a locking tab 66 on lever lock 24 (see FIGS. 10 and 11). As shownin FIGS. 1 and 2, lower yoke attachment plate 39 has the same matchingconfiguration of at least three lower blade lock slots for alignmentwith yoke lock slot 58 and locking tab 66 when blade 12 is turned over,and a lower pivot hole for alignment with yoke pivot hole 56 for pivotalattachment of yoke 22 to the rear side of blade 12.

The reader will appreciate that the above-mentioned handle and shaftfastening means 17 and 19 may be any suitable fastening means such as abolt, screw, rivet or nail. Advantageously, fastening means 17 and 19should be suitable to permit the removal and replacement orreorientation of the secured parts. Advantageously, blade fasteningmeans 30 is a pivot means, suitable to permit blade 12 to rotate orpivot in a horizontal plane right (clockwise—from the perspective of theuser) and left (counter-clockwise) relative to the central longitudinalaxis “A” of shaft 14 on a vertical central blade axis “B”, defined byfastening means 30. Central blade axis “B” is perpendicular to bladeedges 12 a and 12 b and to the working surface and central horizontalblade axis “C”. Blade fastening means 30 may be any suitable means suchas a threaded fastening means (bolt), a rivet or a pin. In particular,the applicant has found it advantageous if blade fastening means 30 isalso designed to be removable so as to permit blade 12 to be flippedover to engage the upper edge 12 b with the working surface.

FIG. 6 shows handle 16, which may be any of various commonconfigurations, providing a working grip for the user. Handle 16 may besecured to the proximal end 15 of shaft 14 through a hole 50 usinghandle fastening means 17, which may be a screw, a bolt, a rivet or anail. In the alternative, handle 16 could be affixed to the shaft by anysuitable means, including by glueing or by forming the handle as anintegral part of the shaft.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show left and right side views of yoke 22. Distal end 13of shaft 14 is fitted into a suitable opening 52 in the proximal end 21of yoke 22 and secured using shaft fastening means 19, which may be ascrew, a bolt, a rivet, or a nail inserted through shaft fastening hole54. Alternatively, shaft 14 could be affixed to yoke 22 by any suitablemeans, including by glueing or by forming shaft 14 as an integral partof yoke 22. As noted, yoke 22 is angled vertically upward with respectto the working surface, so as to provide a desirable upward workingangle for shaft 14 with respect to the working surface. An importantadvantage of the applicant's snow shovel is that this working angleremains constant regardless of the amount of rotation of blade 12 leftor right with respect to the shaft.

The distal end 23 of yoke 22 is inserted into central cavity 36 of blade12, and pivotally secured to the rear side of blade 12 using bladefastening means 30, which is inserted through upper pivot hole 42 inupper yoke attachment plate 38, through yoke pivot hole 56, and througha corresponding lower pivot hole in the lower yoke attachment plate 39.Upon pivotal attachment to blade 12, yoke lock slot 58 will come intoselective alignment with the upper blade lock slots 44 a, 44 b, and 44 con upper plate 38 as the blade 12 is pivoted to the left, to the right,or to the center. When blade 12 is turned around or reversed, yoke lockslot 58 will respectively align with the corresponding lower blade lockslots in the lower plate 39.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 10 and 11, lever lock 24 includes locking tab 66 atone end and a release arm 68 at an opposite end. Lever lock 24 andtorsion spring 26 are pivotally secured to yoke 22 with pin 25 throughholes 60 in yoke 22 and holes 62 in lever lock 24. Spring 26 is retainedbetween a set of retaining ribs 64 on yoke 22 and a similar set ofretaining ribs (not shown) located on the underside of release arm 68.Lever lock 24 is angled to conform to the angle of yoke 22, and lockingtab 66 is positioned to fit into yoke lock slot 58 when attached to yoke22. Spring 26 creates a positive bias on lever lock 24, forcing lock tab66 into yoke lock slot 58.

Pressing down on release arm 68 will raise lock tab 66 clear of yokelock slot 58, permitting the distal end 23 of yoke 22 to be insertedinto central cavity 36 and secured to blade 12, as shown in FIG. 14.Upper plate 38 is positioned between the top of yoke 22 and the bottomof lever lock 24. Lock tab 66 is aligned with one of blade lock slots 44a, 44 b, and 44 c and release arm 68 is let go, thereby engaging locktab 66 with yoke lock slot 58, through upper plate 38 and securing blade12 in one of three angled positions relative to shaft 14, therebypreventing rotation of blade 12 relative to shaft 14 during use.

When it becomes desirable to rotate blade 12 in a horizontal plane left(counter-clockwise) or right (clockwise) relative to centrallongitudinal axis “A” of shaft 14 (see FIG. 1), one merely presses downon release arm 68 to raise lock tab 66 clear of yoke lock slot 58 andupper blade lock slots 44 a, 44 b, and 44 c on upper plate 38. Blade 12is rotated to the desired position, aligning yoke lock slot 58 withanother one of the upper blade lock slots 44 a, 44 b, and 44 c, andrelease arm 68 is let go to once again engage lock tab 66 with yoke lockslot 58 and prevent further rotation of blade 12. Due to the downwardbias of lock tab 66 created by torsion spring 26, release arm 68 needonly be pressed briefly, sufficient to permit lock tab 66 to clear upperplate 38 as blade 12 is rotated. Once lock tab 66 aligns with anadjacent upper lock slot 44 a, 44 b, and 44 c, lock tab 66 willautomatically engage with yoke lock slot 58, and blade 12 will be onceagain locked into the desired angled position, ready for work.

The applicant has shown blade 12 having three blade lock slots 44 a, 44b, and 44 c on upper and lower plates 38 and 39, however, it will beappreciated that additional blade lock slots could be used to provide agreater selection of possible angles for positioning blade 12side-to-side relative to shaft 14. The amount, and therefore the angleof rotation of blade 12 right and left relative to shaft 14 is limitedby side walls 40 and 41 of cavity 36, which act as stop means when theycome in contact with the sides of yoke 22. Side walls 40 and 41 functionto limit the rotation of yoke 22 beyond the extreme left and rightpositions, and thereby provide stability to the shovel when blade 12 isin an angled position relative to shaft 14.

In operation, shovel 10 will normally be used in the standardconfiguration shown in FIG. 13 b, where lock tab 66 is engaged withupper lock slot 44 b and blade 12 is positioned at a 90 degree anglerelative to shaft 14. If the user desires to move snow to the left,blade 12 can be angled left relative to shaft 14, as shown in FIG. 13 c,by pressing down on release arm 68, raising lock tab 66 clear of lockslot 44 b. Blade 12 is pivoted to the left so as to align lock tab 66with upper lock slot 44 c. The user then lets go of release arm 68causing lock tab 66 to engage with upper lock slot 44 c and yoke lockslot 58. To move snow to the right, the same steps are followed, exceptblade 12 is pivoted to the right and lock tab 66 is engaged with upperlock slot 44 a.

One advantage of the applicant's snow shovel 10 is that since lock tab66 is positively biased into yoke lock slot 58, pivoting of blade 12 toa different position is easily accomplished by a single, brief downwardpress on release arm 68 with the user's hand or foot. Once lock tab 66has cleared one of the upper blade lock slots 44 a, 44 b, and 44 c inwhich it was engaged, and blade 12 is rotated slightly, release arm 68can be let go and will automatically re-engage with the adjacent upperlock slot once re-alignment is attained.

Another advantage of the applicant's snow shovel is evident when workingagainst a wall or fence. To move snow away from a wall on the user'sright, the user merely has to rotate blade 12 to the left with respectto shaft 14. The user can continue to push the shovel forward with theshaft 14 directly parallel to the wall, thereby causing the snow toslide off the blade 12 to the left and away from the wall.

A further advantage of the applicant's snow shovel 10 is that the blade12 is constructed symmetrically about horizontal blade axis “C”, havingtwo working edges 12 a and 12 b and identical top and bottom yokeattachment plates 38 and 39. Blade fastening means 30 is removable,thereby allowing blade 12 to be turned around when one of the workingedges has worn out or becomes damaged so that the opposite working edgecan be engaged with the working surface. Once both working edges haveworn, blade 12 can be removed and replaced with a new blade.Advantageously, all the other parts of snow shovel 10, including yoke22, lever lock 24, torsion spring 26, shaft 14 and handle 16, areremovably secured as well making them easily replaced when worn orbroken.

Another important advantage is that when blade 12 is rotated in ahorizontal plane, side-to-side with respect to shaft 14, on verticalcentral blade axis “B”, keeping edge 12 a (or 12 b as the case may be)parallel to the working surface, shaft 14 is maintained at a constantworking angle relative to the working surface, thereby reducing strainand preventing injury to users.

FIG. 15 shows a further embodiment of the applicant's snow shovel orpusher 100, including a blade 112 for pushing or shoveling snow on agenerally horizontal working surface, the blade having lower and upperhorizontal edges 112 a, 112 b, and an elongated shaft 114, the shafthaving a proximal end (not shown) for gripping by a user, a distal end113 and a central longitudinal axis “A”. A handle, similar to handle 16shown in FIG. 6, may be attached to the proximal end (not shown) ofshaft 114. The distal end 113 of shaft 114 is secured to a shaft plate120 at a suitable working angle. Upper and lower shaft connectingflanges 121, 123 are welded to the shaft plate 120 at 90 degree angles.

A pivot yoke 128 is provided having an upper pivot plate 124, a lowerpivot plate 126 and a central pivot bolt 130. Lower shaft connectingflange 123 is pivotally connected to lower pivot plate 126 by pivot bolt130. Upper connecting flange 121 is fixedly connected to upper pivotplate 124.

Upper and lower blade connecting flanges 132, 134 are secured at 90degree angles to a blade plate 136 fixed to the middle of the rear ofblade 112. Upper blade connecting flange 132 is pivotally connected tothe upper pivot plate 124 of yoke 128 by pivot bolt 130 and the lowerblade connecting flange 134 is fixedly connected to lower pivot plate126.

A series of opposing, spaced-apart lock holes 140 are provided near theouter perimeter of lower pivot plate 126, and at least two opposing,spaced-apart lock holes 142 are provided in upper pivot plate 124. Twospaced-apart lock pins 150 are fastened together at the top with a lockpin top plate 152. Lock pins 150 are dimensioned and spaced-apartsufficiently so that they can be inserted through lock holes 142 and 140opposed across the diameter of upper and lower pivot plates 124, 126,for slidable movement therein. Lock pin top plate 152 is fitted with alock pin grip 154, which can be used to easily raise or lower the lockpins. Lock pins 150 are further fastened together with a lock pin lowerplate 156 to assist in stabilizing the lock pins to facilitate theirinsertion into lock holes 140 in lower pivot plate 126.

When lock pins 150 are raised up and clear of lock holes 140 in lowerpivot plate 126, blade 112 and lower pivot plate 126 are free to rotate.Blade 112 rotates in a horizontal plane, left (counter-clockwise fromthe perspective of the user) or right (clockwise) relative to centrallongitudinal axis “A” of shaft 114 on a vertical central blade axis “B”,defined by pivot bolt 130. Central blade axis “B” is perpendicular toblade edges 112 a and 112 b and to the working surface. As in theprevious embodiment described above, pivot bolt 130 may be any suitablemeans such as a threaded fastening means (bolt), a rivet or a pin.

One skilled in the art will appreciate that the same function asdescribed above can be accomplished if lower shaft connecting flange 123is fixedly (rather than pivotally) connected to lower pivot plate 126and upper shaft connecting flange 121 is pivotally (rather than fixedly)connected to upper pivot plate 124, while upper blade connecting flange132 is fixedly (rather than pivotally) connected to the upper pivotplate 124 and the lower blade connecting flange 134 is pivotally (ratherthan fixedly) connected to lower pivot plate 126. In this alternateconfiguration, when lock pins 150 are raised up and clear of lock holes140 in lower pivot plate 126, blade 112 and upper pivot plate 124 arefree to rotate left or right with respect to shaft 114 as desired.

Shovel 110 can be used in the normal fashion for pushing snow in aforward direction by orienting blade 112 at a 90 degree angle relativeto shaft 114 so that shaft plate 120 is parallel to blade edges 112 a,112 b. Lock pins 150 are engaged with lock holes 140 in the lower pivotplate 126 preventing blade 112 from rotating. When it becomes desirableto rotate blade 112 in a horizontal plane left (counter-clockwise) orright (clockwise) relative to central longitudinal axis “A” of shaft114, one raises lock pins 150 clear of lock holes 140 in lower pivotplate 126 and rotates blade 112 to the desired left or right position.Once lock pins 150 are realigned with a different pair of opposing,space-apart lock holes 140 in lower pivot plate 126, the lock pins 150are inserted into the new set of lock holes 140 and further rotation ofblade 112 is prevented. The shovel is now ready to direct snow to theleft or right as desired. Lock pins 150 may be constructed with a springbias connection to the top pivot plate 124 or the pivot bolt 130 toassist in automatically engaging lock pins 150 with lower lock holes 140and to maintain their position therein during operation.

In FIG. 15, the applicant has shown lower pivot plate 126 having threepairs of opposed spaced-apart lock holes 140, however, it will beappreciated that additional pairs of opposing lock holes 140 could beprovided to offer a greater selection of possible angles for positioningblade 112 side-to-side relative to shaft 114.

FIGS. 16-23 show a third embodiment of the applicant's snow shovel orpusher 310. Since many of the components of the third embodiment areidentical to components of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-14,some of the same reference numerals will be used in FIGS. 16-23 to showthe same components.

In FIG. 16, snow shovel 310 includes blade 12, elongated shaft 14 andhandle 16 fitted to proximal end 15 of shaft 14 (in FIGS. 16-23, thehandle 16 and proximal end 15 of shaft 14 are not shown but would beidentical to those same elements shown in FIG. 1).

A distal end 13 of shaft 14 is secured to a proximal end 321 of anangled yoke 322. Yoke 322 is angled vertically upward with respect tothe working surface, similar to the angle of yoke 22 shown in FIG. 1. Asin the first embodiment, the angle of yoke 322 is calculated to providea desirable upward working angle with respect to the working surface forthe user gripping shaft 14 to work the snow shovel. An importantadvantage of the applicant's snow shovel is that this working angleremains constant regardless of the amount of rotation of blade 12 leftor right with respect to the shaft. Another important advantage that theangled yoke 322 provides, is that it limits, to a certain extent, theamount of snow that can be carried in blade 12. The angle of yoke 322(and of yoke 22 shown in FIG. 1), combined with the curvature of blade12, limits the ability of a user to tip blade 12 backwards for thepurpose of loading it with an excess of snow. The result is that theuser is not able to pickup and throw large amounts of snow. This can bean important consideration, particularly for elderly persons, or thosewith weak backs, as it prevents them from over exerting themselves andlimits possible injury.

As shown in FIG. 16, and more particularly in FIGS. 19 and 20, areleasable locking mechanism, comprising a “double-J-shaped” lock bar324 is slidably secured within a vertical main yoke lock channel 327 aand a vertical secondary yoke lock channel 327 b in yoke 322, with aspring 326 (see FIGS. 19 and 20) and a spring plate 325 secured to thebottom of yoke 322. Lock bar 324 includes rear lock bar tab 366 a andupper and lower front lock bar tabs 366 b, and 336 c, respectively.Upper and lower front lock bar tabs 366 b, and 336 c are positioned toslide up and down within secondary yoke lock channel 327 b, while rearlock bar tab 366 a is positioned to slide up and down within main yokelock channel 327 a. Spring 326 creates a positive bias on lock bar 324,forcing lock tabs 366 a, 366 b and 366 c upward as shown in FIG. 19.Pushing downward on yoke 322, in direction “D” as shown in FIG. 20,causes lock bar 324 to slide downward in yoke lock channels 327 a and327 b. Once pressure is released on the top of yoke 322, lock bar 324will return to its resting, locked/working position as shown in FIG. 19.

One will appreciate that lock bar 324 may be “single-J-shaped” and mayhave only one of upper and lower lock tabs 366 b and 366 c. In both the“double-J” and “single-J” configurations, rear lock bar tab 366 a is notessential and may be omitted. One will also appreciate that it wouldalso be possible that lock bar 324 is not a “J-shaped” configuration andthat only rear lock bar tab 366 a is included. In this latterconfiguration, real lock bar tab 366 a would be essential.

The blade 12 is pivotally secured to a distal end 323 of yoke 322 usingblade fastening means 30. Blade 12 has the same characteristicsdescribed earlier, including horizontal bottom working edge 12 a,oppositely-oriented horizontal top working edge 12 b, and a curvedconnecting surface between edges 12 a and 12 b to facilitate the pushingand shoveling of snow. As shown in FIG. 3, blade 12 may also besymmetrically shaped about a central horizontal blade axis “C” parallelto the top and bottom edges 12 b and 12 a, permitting blade 12 to beturned over.

As previously described, blade fastening means 30 is a pivot means,suitable to permit blade 12 to rotate or pivot in a horizontal planeright (clockwise—from the perspective of the user) and left(counter-clockwise) relative to the central longitudinal axis “A” ofshaft 14 on a vertical central blade axis “B”, defined by fasteningmeans 30. Central blade axis “B” is perpendicular to blade edges 12 aand 12 b and to the working surface and central horizontal blade axis“C”.

Blade 12 may include multiple vertical reinforcing ribs 32 and at leasttwo horizontal reinforcing ribs 34 (see FIG. 2). Vertical reinforcingribs 32 intersect with horizontal reinforcing ribs 34, to form a centralcavity 36 having an upper yoke attachment plate 38, a lower yokeattachment plate 39, and two side walls 40 and 41. Additionalreinforcing ribs 33, which may be oriented other than horizontally orvertically, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 16, may be added to blade 12 toprovide further stability.

In the applicant's third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 16, blade 12includes additional left and right horizontal support ribs 337, locatedbetween horizontal support ribs 34, for securing a curved “U-shaped”blade support bar 350 (see also FIGS. 17 and 18, which show top planviews of snow shovel 310). Support ribs 337 are best located centrallyon central horizontal blade axis “C” and positioned an equal distance oneither side of fastening means 30. Support bar 350 is fastened on boththe left and right sides of blade 12 using support bar fastening means352 and is on the same horizontal plane as central horizontal bade axis“C”. The angled, bottom portion of “U-shaped” support bar 350 isinserted through a horizontal support bar channel 354 cut through bothyoke 322 and lock bar 324 (see FIGS. 19 and 20) and is slidable thereinas blade 12 is rotated horizontally left and right. One will appreciatethat in the first embodiment of the applicant's snow shovel, as shown inFIGS. 1-14, a support bar (not shown), similar to support bar 350, couldalso be added to provide additional support to snow shovel 10 and blade12. In that alternate version of snow shovel 10, support bar channel 354would only be cut through yoke 22 and support bar 354 would be slidabletherein as blade 12 is rotated horizontally left and right.

Support bar 350, which when connected becomes part of blade 12, mayinclude at least three additional blade or support bar lock slots 355 a,355 b, and 355 c (see FIG. 23) for engagement with rear lock bar tab 366a as blade 12 pivots horizontally left and right. Support bar 350provides blade 12 with additional support to prevent twisting whiledigging or pushing heavy loads and support bar lock slots 355 a, 355 b,and 355 c provide a means to prevent blade rotation when engaged withrear lock bar tab 366 a.

As shown in FIG. 5, upper yoke attachment plate 38 of blade 12 includesupper pivot hole 42 for alignment with a yoke pivot hole 356 (see FIG.19) for pivotal attachment of yoke 322 to the rear side of blade 12.Upper yoke attachment plate 38 includes at least three upper blade lockslots 44 a, 44 b, and 44 c for alignment with secondary yoke lockchannel 327 b (see FIG. 19) and for engagement with upper front lock bartab 366 b. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and in FIGS. 19 and 20, lower yokeattachment plate 39 has the same matching configuration of at leastthree lower lock slots for alignment with secondary yoke lock channel327 b, and for engagement with lower front lock bar tab 366 c. A lowerpivot hole in lower plate 39 is also provided for alignment with yokepivot hole 356 and upper pivot hole 42, for pivotal attachment of yoke322 to the rear side of blade 12 using fastening means 30. As shown inFIGS. 17-20, upper plate 38 includes a lock slot cover plate 347 securedwith attachment means 30 to prevent snow and ice buildup in upper bladelock slots 44 a, 44 b, and 44 c.

In the normal, locked working position shown in FIG. 19, lock bar 324 isbiased upward by spring 326 pushing against spring plate 325 so thatupper front lock bar tab 366 b is engaged with one of upper blade lockslots 44 a, 44 b, or 44 c in upper plate 38 and lower front lock bar tab366 c is engaged with the corresponding lower blade lock slot in lowerplate 39. Rear lock bar tab 366 a is engaged with one of the at leastthree support bar lock slots 355 a, 355 b or 355 c, thereby lockingblade 12 in a selected working position and preventing horizontalrotation left or right. Pushing downward on lock tab 324, in direction“D” as shown in FIG. 20, causes lock bar 324 to slide downward in yokemain and secondary lock channels 327 a and 327 b, causing lock bar tabs366 a, 366 b and 366 c to disengage from the lock slots, therebypermitting horizontal rotation of blade 12. Once pressure is released onthe top of yoke 322, lock bar 324 is forced upward by spring 326, and assoon as the lock bar tabs 366 a, 366 b and 366 c come into alignmentwith a corresponding lock slot, lock bar 324 will return to its locked,resting/working position, as shown in FIG. 19.

One advantage of the applicant's snow shovel 310 is that due to theupward bias of lock bar 324 created by spring 326, pivoting of blade 12to a different angled position is easily accomplished by a single, briefdownward press on the top of lock bar 324 with the users hand or foot,sufficient to permit all lock bar tabs 366 a, 366 b and 366 c todisengage their respective blade and support bar lock slots. Once lockbar tabs 366 a, 366 b and 366 c have cleared blade and support bar lockslots and blade 12 is rotated slightly, downward pressure on the top oflock bar 324 can be released. As the blade 12 is rotated further, lockbar tabs 366 a, 366 b and 366 c will align and automatically engageupward into adjacent blade and support bar lock slots, to once againautomatically lock blade 12 into the desired position, ready for work.

A further variation of the applicant's snow shovel 310 is shown in FIGS.21 and 22 to provide a means for remotely disengaging lock bar tabs 366a, 366 b and 366 c from blade and support bar lock slots, therebypermitting rotation of blade 12 without having to bend over to pushdownward on the top of lock bar 324. An “L-shaped” release bar 360 ispivotally connected at the angle-point 362 to yoke 322. A upper firstarm 363 of release bar 360 is fastened to lock bar 324 at point 364 anda lower second arm 365 is connected to a cable 370 at a point 366. Cable370 may be located within an internal channel 380 cut into shaft 14, andextends upward to a trigger mechanism (not shown), near the proximal end15 of shaft 14. Release bar 360 is, secured as described above, within agrove cut into the back of lock bar 324 and into the back side of lockbar channel 327 a of yoke 322.

As shown in FIG. 22, pulling upward on the trigger will pull cable 370upward in the direction of the arrow, and move lower second arm 366 ofrelease bar 360 upward toward the proximal end 321 of yoke 322. Releasebar 360 pivots on the angle-point 362 forcing upper first arm 363downward, driving lock bar 324 downward in lock bar channels 327 a and327 b, to thereby disengage lock bar tabs 366 a, 366 b and 366 c fromblade and support bar lock slots and permit horizontal rotation of blade12. Releasing the trigger, allows spring 326 to return lock bar 324 toits resting, locked/working position, as shown in FIG. 21, forengagement of lock bar tabs 366 a, 366 b and 366 c with blade andsupport bar lock slots, thereby preventing horizontal rotation of blade12.

FIGS. 17 and 18 show the applicant's snow shovel 310 in the locked,working position, with blade 12 perpendicular to shaft 14 and lock bartabs 366 a, 366 b and 366 c engaged with corresponding blade and supportbar lock slots. In FIG. 23, snow shovel 310 has been rotated on ahorizontal plane to the right (clockwise) so that blade 12 is positionedat an angle to shaft 14 for pushing snow to the right. In all FIGS. 17,18 and 23, the bottom edge 12 a of blade 12 remains parallel to theworking surface as shovel blade 12 is pivoted relative to the shaft in ahorizontal plane on vertical central blade axis “B”.

The applicant's snow shovel as described herein may be embodied in otherspecific forms without departing from the spirit or essentialcharacteristics thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to beconsidered as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of theinvention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by theforegoing description, and all changes that come within the meaning andrange of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embracedtherein.

1. A snow shovel for pushing snow on a generally horizontal workingsurface, the snow shovel comprising: an elongated shaft for gripping bya user during use; a shovel blade having a front side and a rear sideand a horizontal bottom working edge for engaging the working surfaceduring use, the rear side of said shovel blade attached to one end ofsaid shaft with a yoke mechanism for pivotally retaining the shovelblade at various angles relative to the shaft, said shovel blade beingpivotable relative to said shaft in a horizontal plane on a verticalcentral blade axis perpendicular to the working surface; and areleasable locking mechanism operable for releasing and relocking saidshovel blade at said various angles relative to said shaft between anextreme right and an extreme left position.
 2. The snow shovel of claim1, wherein said yoke is angled vertically upward relative to saidworking surface to thereby retain said shaft at a constant desirableworking angle with respect to the working surface during use and duringsaid pivotal movement of said shovel blade relative to said shaftbetween said extreme right and said extreme left positions.
 3. The snowshovel of claim 1, wherein said shovel blade is symmetricallyconstructed about a central horizontal blade axis parallel to saidhorizontal bottom working edge and wherein said shovel blade also has ahorizontal top working edge oriented opposite said horizontal bottomworking edge, and wherein said shovel blade is removably connected tosaid yoke, thereby permitting said shovel blade to be reversed,resulting in the engagement of said top horizontal working edge with theworking surface during use.
 4. The snow shovel of claim 1, wherein saidlocking mechanism includes at least one lock tab for selectiveengagement with one of a plurality of blade lock slots on said rear sideof said shovel blade, whereby engagement of said at least one lock tabwith said selected one of said plurality of blade lock slots will locksaid shovel blade and prevent said pivotal movement of said shovel bladerelative to said shaft.
 5. The snow shovel of claim 4, wherein saidlocking mechanism is spring biased for positive retention of said atleast one lock tab in said selected one of said plurality of blade lockslots during use.
 6. The snow shovel of claim 4, wherein said lockingmechanism includes a release mechanism for temporarily disengaging saidat least one lock tab from said selected one of said plurality of lockslots to thereby permit said pivotal movement of said shovel bladerelative to said shaft so as to permit repositioning of said shovelblade relative to said shaft.
 7. The snow shovel of claims 6, whereinsaid locking mechanism is a lever lock, said lever lock including afirst end and a second opposite end, said lever lock being pivotallyconnected to said yoke at a pivot point located between said first endand said second end, and wherein said at least one lock tab is locatedon said first end of said lever lock and said release mechanism is arelease arm, said release arm located on said second end of said leverlock, whereby pressing downward on said release arm will result in saiddisengagement of said at least one lock tab from said selected one ofsaid plurality of lock slots.
 8. The snow shovel of claim 1, includingstop means to prevent said pivotal movement of said shovel bladerelative to said shaft beyond said extreme right and said extreme leftpositions when said releasable locking mechanism is not engaged.
 9. Thesnow shovel of claim 1, wherein said shaft is removably connected tosaid yoke and said yoke is removably connected to said shovel blade topermit selective replacement of said shovel blade, said yoke and saidshaft.
 10. The snow shovel of claim 4, wherein said locking mechanismcomprises a lock bar slidably secured within said yoke, said lock barbeing slidable in said yoke between a first locked position wherein saidat least one lock tab is engaged with said selected one of saidplurality of blade lock slots and a second, unlocked position whereinsaid at least one lock tab is disengaged from said selected one of saidplurality of lock slots, to thereby permit said pivotal movement of saidshovel blade relative to said shaft so as to permit repositioning ofsaid shovel blade relative to said shaft.
 11. The snow shovel of claim10, wherein said lock bar includes a release bar connected between saidlock bar and said yoke, said release bar adapted for moving said lockbar between said first, locked position and said second unlockedposition.
 12. The snow shovel of claim 11, including a remote mechanismfor remotely moving said release bar and said lock bar between saidfirst, locked position and said second, unlocked position.
 13. The snowshovel of claim 12, wherein said remote mechanism comprises a cableconnected between said release bar and a trigger mechanism, said triggermechanism located within easy reach of the user.
 14. The snow shovel ofclaim 1, wherein said shovel blade has a right side and a left siderelative to said central blade axis, and including a support barconnected between said right side of said rear of said blade and saidleft side of said rear of said blade, said support bar being slidable ina horizontal support bar channel through said yoke.
 15. The snow shovelof claim 10, wherein said shovel blade has a right side and a left siderelative to said central blade axis, and including a support barconnected between said right side of said rear of said blade and saidleft side of said rear of said blade, said support bar being slidable ina horizontal support bar channel through said yoke and said lock bar.16. The snow shovel of claim 15, wherein said support bar includes aplurality of support bar lock slots for engagement with a second one ofsaid at least one lock tab of said locking mechanism.
 17. A snow shovelfor pushing snow on a generally horizontal working surface, the snowshovel comprising: an elongated shaft for gripping by a user during use,said shaft having a proximal end and a distal end and a centrallongitudinal axis; a yoke having a proximal end and a distal end, saidproximal end of said yoke connected to said distal end of said shaft; ashovel blade having a front side and a rear side and an elongatedhorizontal bottom working edge for engagement with the working surfaceduring use, the rear of said shovel blade pivotally connected to saiddistal end of said yoke for pivotable movement of said shovel bladerelative to said shaft in a horizontal plane on a vertical central bladeaxis perpendicular to said horizontal bottom working edge; and a lockingmechanism for locking said shovel blade at various angles relative tosaid shaft during use between an extreme right position and an extremeleft position, the proximal end of said yoke being angled verticallyupward relative to said working surface to thereby retain said shaft ata constant working angle with respect to the working surface during useand during said pivotal movement of said shovel blade relative to saidshaft between said extreme right and said extreme left positions. 18.The snow shovel of claim 17, wherein said locking mechanism isreleasable, for releasing and relocking said shovel blade at saidvarious angles relative to said shaft.
 19. The snow shovel of claim 17,wherein said shovel blade is symmetrically constructed about a centralhorizontal blade axis parallel to said horizontal bottom working edgeand wherein said shovel blade also has a horizontal top working edgeoriented opposite said horizontal bottom working edge, and wherein saidshovel blade is removably connected to said yoke, thereby permittingsaid shovel blade to be reversed, resulting in the engagement of saidtop horizontal working edge with the working surface during use.
 20. Thesnow shovel of claim 17, wherein said locking mechanism includes atleast one lock tab for selective engagement with one of a plurality ofblade lock slots on said rear side of said shovel blade, wherebyengagement of said at least one lock tab with said selected one of saidplurality of lock slots will lock said shovel blade and prevent saidpivotal movement of said shovel blade relative to said shaft.
 21. Thesnow shovel of claim 20, wherein said locking mechanism is spring biasedfor positive retention of said lock tab in said selected one of saidplurality of lock slots during use.
 22. The snow shovel of claim 20,wherein said locking mechanism includes a release mechanism fortemporarily disengaging said at least one lock tab from said selectedone of said plurality of lock slots to thereby permit said pivotalmovement of said shovel blade relative to said shaft so as to permitrepositioning of said shovel blade relative to said shaft.
 23. The snowshovel of claim 20, wherein said locking mechanism comprises a lock barslidably secured within said yoke, said lock bar being slidable in saidyoke between a first locked position wherein said at least one lock tabis engaged with said selected one of said plurality of blade lock slotsand a second, unlocked position wherein said at least one lock tab isdisengaged from said selected one of said plurality of lock slots, tothereby permit said pivotal movement of said shovel blade relative tosaid shaft so as to permit repositioning of said shovel blade relativeto said shaft.
 24. The snow shovel of claim 23, wherein said lockingmechanism includes a release bar connected between said lock bar andsaid yoke, said release bar adapted for moving said lock bar betweensaid first, locked position and said second unlocked position.
 25. Thesnow shovel of claim 24, including a remote mechanism for remotelymoving said release bar and said lock bar between said first, lockedposition and said second, unlocked position.
 26. The snow shovel ofclaim 25, wherein said remote mechanism comprises a cable connectedbetween said release bar and a trigger mechanism, said trigger mechanismlocated within easy reach of the user.
 27. The snow shovel of claim 17,wherein said shovel blade has a right side and a left side relative tosaid central blade axis, and including a support bar connected betweensaid right side of said rear of said blade and said left side of saidrear of said blade, said support bar being slidable in a horizontalsupport bar channel through said yoke.
 28. The snow shovel of claim 23,wherein said shovel blade has a right side and a left side relative tosaid central blade axis, and including a support bar connected betweensaid right side of said rear of said blade and said left side of saidrear of said blade, said support bar being slidable in a horizontalsupport bar channel through said yoke and said lock bar.
 29. The snowshovel of claim 28, wherein said support bar includes a plurality ofsupport bar lock slots for engagement with a second one of said at leastone lock tab of said locking mechanism.